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Norwich 2 - West Ham 2: Dimitri Payet inspires Hammers comeback as Canaries let lead slip
DIMITRI PAYET showed exactly why he’s set to become the highest paid player in West Ham history.
Dimitri Payet scored an provided an assist against Norwich for West Ham
The Frenchman, who has agreed a £35million, fi ve-year package to stay, had been little more than a bystander for the first 73 minutes.
But then he burst into life to bring his team back from the brink of defeat with two magical touches.
Payet was the fi rst to pounce on the loose ball when recalled John Ruddy got his left hand to a Victor Moses goal-bound shot.
In their next serious attack, he brilliantly picked out Mark Noble, ghosting just outside the area, and the skipper sent a sensational strike flashing past the Canaries’ keeper to set up a grandstand finish.
Payet’s superman impersonation came as Robbie Brady must have been relishing the thought of his next game against the Hammers.
The Irish international’s first goal of the season helped Norwich take a point from their last-ever visit to Upton Park at the end of September.
The full-back was on target again in the 55th minute yesterday, robbing Enner Valencia, taking a few steps forward and hammering a shot into the top corner.
And when Wes Hoolahan pounced 10 minutes later James Collins could only half block Steven Naismith’s effort, Norwich looked home and dry.
But Payet ripped up his plan and the £10.7m steal from Marseille almost conjured up a third as another threaded pass was only inches away from Emmanuel Emenike’s sliding effort to tuck it away.